We’re often looking for ideas for day trips or weekend getaways around Athens. And we recently found a little nugget just a hundred kilometers from the Greek capital: Lake Vouliagmeni and the Perachora Heraion.
A little-known destination on the outskirts of Corinth, with little or no mention in the usual tourist guides. And yet it’s well worth the detour.
This excursion combines a visit to a delightful ancient site + a swim in a turquoise lake + lunch in a traditional waterside taverna. We love it! One-day program around Athens :
Stage 1: visit to the Perachora (or Perahora) Heraion
In Corinthia, 100 kilometers from Athens and 25 kilometers from Corinth, lies a beautiful archaeological site: the Perachora Heraion. An ancient sanctuary dedicated to Hera, wife of Zeus and goddess of marriage and family. There are remains of two temples dedicated to this goddess (8th and 6th c. BC) and a cistern built during the Roman era.
The Heraion of Perachora is a magnificent ancient site because of its location: a place lost in the middle of nowhere, overlooking a tiny cove that once served as a port. And it has the added advantage of being shaded by pine trees. A change of scenery guaranteed.
If you feel like a bit of a walk, there’s a path from the parking lot to a 19th-century lighthouse offering exceptional views of the ancient site and the Gulf of Corinth (half an hour’s walk there and back).
Stage 2: swimming at Lake Vouliagmeni and tavern lunch
On this trip around Athens, after visiting the archaeological site of the Perachora Heraion, we recommend a visit to Lake Vouliagmeni (Limni Vouliagmenis), 2 kilometers to the east. Not to be confused with the lake of the same name in the town of Vouliagmeni, 20 kilometers south of Athens.
This saltwater lake is connected to the sea by a narrow channel. On sunny days, the water is turquoise. A real pleasure!
You can walk along the water. And, of course, you can swim in it. There are beaches at various points around the lake, equipped with deckchairs and parasols.
The lake is also lined with several traditional tavernas where you can lunch with your feet in the sand, under the shade of the trees.
It’s a great place for children, who enjoy swimming in this transparent lake. They can play and run on the beach without any danger. At the Ypanema bar, there’s a rather wide beach, set back from the road, with volleyball courts, sun loungers and parasols. With a traditional tavern right next door, the Δίαυλος tavern.
Stage 3: The seaside resort of Loutraki
Before heading back to Athens, and to extend your day around Athens, you can stop off at Loutraki, a seaside resort with a somewhat old-fashioned charm. Renowned for its thermal waters, the town of Loutraki is home to a large SPA which we were delighted to try out. On the slightly old-fashioned side, a medical check-up is compulsory, as is a plastic cap before you can dive into the thermal pools. These are numerous (cold, temperate or hot), spacious and equipped with pleasant hydromassage jets. And the rates are reasonable. Gaming enthusiasts will find a casino on site.
If you’d like to spend the weekend on site, we recommend you take up residence by the lake. There are several hotels and houses for rent.
Among the hotels and homes we spotted were the following:
- Mantas Bay, an inexpensive lakeside hotel with family rooms
- the Marvelous house by the sea, conveniently located
- Villa Christina with its private beach
- but also the Oikonomou villa, which looks exceptional
- As there were so many of us, we finally opted to rent a house overlooking the lake: Villa Armonia. A superb place, very practical for families or groups of friends, but you need to stay a minimum of 3 nights.
- Finally, if you prefer to stay in Loutraki, you can opt for the Pefkaki Boutique Hotel.
Or a host of other accommodations to suit all tastes and budgets at Booking .
In practice
- The Perachora Heraion and Vouliagmeni Lake are located 100 kilometers west of Athens. It takes about 1h30 by car. On Google Maps, enter“Heraion of Perachora” for the ancient site (Google Maps) and “Limni Vouliagmenis” to go to the lake (Google Maps).
- The site is not served by public transport, so cars are essential. If you need to rent a vehicle, take a look at the Rental Cars price comparison service.
- The ancient site of the Perachora Heraion is free of charge. Open daily from 9am to 3pm.
We hope you enjoy this trip around Athens. Feel free to leave us a comment below to tell us what you thought of it.
Laure M. with the precious help of Sophie M.
